TL;DR
A PC Gamer writer argues Linux has matured into a practical desktop OS, citing personal experience with gaming-focused and server distros. While gaming compatibility and user-friendliness have improved, HDR and some anti-cheat barriers remain.
What happened
In a recent column Joshua Wolens says Linux has reached a point where it can be a viable daily driver for many desktop users. He reports comfortable experiences running a gaming-oriented distribution called Bazzite — including titles that ran smoothly on his Nvidia GPU — and maintaining an old laptop as a low-touch media server on Debian 13 after upgrading from Debian 12. Wolens points to data from Steam’s hardware survey showing Linux users reached 3.2% of respondents, a new peak for two months running. He frames his move as partly a reaction to what he sees as intrusive elements in Windows, and recommends trying Linux on a separate boot drive if readers want to experiment. He also notes remaining pain points: HDR support is inconsistent and some live-service games include anti-cheat systems that are incompatible with Linux, though he believes progress is being made.
Why it matters
- Using Linux can give users more control over what runs on their machines and what software is installed.
- Gaming on Linux has become more accessible, with some titles running as well as or better than on Windows via compatibility layers.
- Persistent technical gaps — HDR and anti-cheat compatibility — still affect the experience for some gamers.
- Growing Linux usage on Steam suggests a modest but rising interest in alternatives to Windows among PC users.
Key facts
- Columnist Joshua Wolens reports switching significant personal computing time to Linux.
- Steam hardware survey showed Linux users at 3.2% of respondents, a new high for the second month in a row.
- Wolens used Bazzite, a distribution positioned toward gaming, and found it straightforward to run on his hardware, including an Nvidia GPU.
- An older laptop was converted into a media server running Debian 13 after an upgrade from Debian 12; it reportedly requires minimal maintenance.
- The author says he rarely needed to use the command line during his testing.
- Valve’s compatibility layer Proton is mentioned as a factor enabling Windows games to run on Linux.
- HDR support on Linux remains inconsistent according to the column.
- Many live-service games rely on anti-cheat systems that do not work with Linux.
- Wolens recommends trying Linux from a separate boot drive to experiment without fully replacing an existing OS.
What to watch next
- Progress on anti-cheat compatibility for Linux gaming, which affects many live-service titles.
- Improvements to HDR support on Linux distributions and drivers.
- Valve’s initiatives aimed at bringing Linux and SteamOS further into living-room and console-adjacent spaces.
Quick glossary
- Linux distribution (distro): A packaged version of the Linux operating system that includes the kernel plus system tools, libraries and applications; examples include Debian and Ubuntu.
- Proton: A compatibility layer developed by Valve that lets many Windows games run on Linux by translating Windows system calls to Linux equivalents.
- Anti-cheat software: Programs used by game developers to detect and prevent cheating; some run at a low system level and can be incompatible with alternative operating systems.
- HDR: High Dynamic Range, a display technology that allows a wider range of brightness and color; support can depend on drivers and system integration.
Reader FAQ
Is Linux ready for desktop gaming?
The author says many games ran as easily — and in some cases as well — on Linux using a gaming-focussed distro and compatibility tools, but some titles are blocked by anti-cheat systems.
Will I need to use the command line to use Linux?
According to the column, the author rarely had to use the command line while using modern distros like Bazzite and Debian 13.
How should I try Linux without risking my current system?
The writer suggests installing Linux on a separate boot drive so you can experiment without replacing your existing OS.
Will all my Windows apps and games work on Linux?
not confirmed in the source
Software Operating Systems Linux I'm brave enough to say it: Linux is good now, and if you want to feel like you actually own your PC, make 2026 the year…
Sources
- Linux is good now; to feel like you actually own your PC, put Linux on it
- 2026 still isn't going to be the Year of the Linux Desktop, but…
- My crazy 2026 prediction (it involves Linux) – Birchtree
- The Linux Experiment: These things will make …
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